We have compiled notes on the second ARC report on Crisis Management (Disaster Management). You can use these notes to prepare for the Disaster Management section of the UPSC CSE.
1. Introduction
- What is a Crisis? An event threatening human life, and property, or causing large-scale disruption. It can be natural or man-made and may escalate into a disaster if mismanaged.
- Report's Focus: Enhancing administrative emergency response and crisis preparedness. [that is, the first and second phase of DM Cycle: Preparedness and Mitigation, Planning, and Response]
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Key References:
- Natural and man-made disasters (excluding terrorism).
- Policies, operations, and institutions in crisis management.
- International declarations like the Yokohama Declaration (1994).
2. Crisis Management - An Overview
- Historical Context: Crises have been a constant throughout history, but their nature has evolved.
- Modern Challenges: Globalization, urbanization, climate change, etc., have amplified the scale and complexity of crises.
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Types of Crises:
- Natural (climatic, geological)
- Environmental
- Accidental (industrial, fire)
- Biological
- Hostile (war, terrorism)
- Infrastructural failures
- Crowd-related
- Hazard vs. Disaster: A hazard is a potential threat; a disaster is the actual impact on a vulnerable community.
- Scale of Crises: Crises can be local, district, state, or national, determining the response level.
3. India's Vulnerability and Response Mechanism
- Future Projections: Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters.
- India's Vulnerability: High susceptibility to multiple hazards due to geo-climatic conditions.
- Damage and Losses: Disasters cause significant loss of life, livelihood, and economic damage in India.
- Lessons Learned: Investing in prevention and mitigation is more cost-effective than post-disaster relief.
- Examples of Major Crises: Earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis, floods, landslides, industrial disasters, epidemics, nuclear hazards, desert locusts, and slow-onset disasters (climate change, droughts, desertification, sea erosion).
4. Legal and Institutional Framework
- Constitutional Provisions: Disaster management is not explicitly mentioned, falling under the Union's Residuary Powers.
- Disaster Management Act, 2005: Comprehensive legislation for disaster management.
- Role of State Governments: Primary responsibility for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation.
- Role of Union Government: Support with resources and coordination.
- Institutional Framework: National and State Disaster Management Authorities, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), etc.
5. Risk Reduction
- National Policy: Need for a comprehensive policy emphasizing risk reduction.
- Risk Assessment: Hazard and vulnerability analysis are crucial for planning mitigation measures.
- Awareness Generation: Educating communities and local governments about risks.
- Disaster Management Plans: Preparation of plans at various levels based on risk assessment.
- Early Warning Systems: Crucial for effective risk reduction.
- Community Resilience: Building capacity through training and education.
6. Emergency Response System
- Emergency Plans: Need for updated plans with clear trigger points.
- Coordination: Effective coordination among various agencies is essential.
- Specialized Agencies: Civil Defence, police, fire services, armed forces, etc., play crucial roles.
- Emergency Medical Relief: Establishing a dedicated system for medical emergencies.
7. Recovery - Relief and Rehabilitation
- Recovery Strategy: Developed in consultation with affected communities.
- Community Participation: Involving communities in the recovery process.
- Minimum Standards: Ensuring basic necessities like food, health, water, sanitation, and shelter.
- Focus on Vulnerable Groups: Addressing the special needs of women, children, the elderly, and the disabled.
8. Gender Issues and Vulnerability of Weaker Sections
- Women and Children: Most adversely affected due to societal disparities.
- Addressing Vulnerabilities: Incorporating gender concerns in all phases of disaster management.
- Empowering Women: Focus on economic independence and skill development in the recovery phase.
9. Drought Management
- Unique Features: Slow onset, large-scale impact, prolonged duration, primarily rural phenomenon.
- Drought-Prone Area Development (DPAP): Program for mitigating drought impact.
- Long-Term Interventions: National Institute of Drought Management, livelihood management, rationalization of drought declarations, remote sensing for monitoring, making rivers perennial, National Rainfed Areas Authority.
10. Epidemics and Disruption of Essential Services
- Epidemics: Comprehensive legislation and preparedness plans are crucial.
- Disruption of Essential Services: Incorporating plans for handling disruptions in disaster management plans.
Conclusion
- Shift in Strategy: From fatalism to prevention, response to preparation, and resource mobilization to risk reduction.
- Collective Responsibility: Government, community, local bodies, and NGOs all play a role.
- Crisis Management as an Approach: Not a separate discipline, but a collective response involving all sectors.